WATCH: ‘People of Moygashel helped me win’, says new MP Tom Elliott

Michael Devlin

The new MP for Fermanagh-South Tyrone, Tom Elliott of the UUP, has told his supporters that “the people of Moygashel” played an instrumental role in securing one of the most historic seats in UK politics.

With a majority of 530 votes, Elliott emerged the clear winner just before 5am this morning to jubilant scenes, with supporters including several local DUP councillors as well as the Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt, who said taking the seat was a “priority” for him.

Tom Elliott is surrounded by well wishers including Dungannon DUP councillor Frances Burton and Kim Ashton

Tom Elliott paid tribute to the “combined effort” of Unionists, as well as the Traditional Unionist Voice, UKIP, the Loyal Orders and the victims’ sector, and declared: “The most westerly seat in the UK is red, white and blue”.

It was an emotional game-changer for Michelle Gildernew, who was joined at the Omagh count centre by her sons and other family members - some of whom wiped away tears - but she congratulated Mr Elliott and said it had been a “nail-biting election”.

Our video shows reaction from Tom Elliott, while we will have full reaction to the result in next week’s TYRONE TIMES.

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